N.S. elementary school teacher facing sex charges

An elementary school teacher in Pictou County, N.S. is facing several sex-related charges following an 11-week police investigation.

Carolyn Amy Hood has been charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of sexual interference, two counts of luring minors over the internet for a sexual purpose, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a young person.

The 37-year-old woman was arrested without incident at her home in Stellarton Friday morning.

Pictou District RCMP say they started investigating Hood after receiving a complaint from Thorburn Consolidated School in the fall.

Hood is a Grade 6 teacher at Thorburn Consolidated School, which has grades primary through nine.

RCMP say the accusations involve inappropriate relationships with two teenage boys. Police say the alleged incidents did not take place on school property or involve Hood’s current students.

The allegations were first brought to the attention of school officials in October. At the time, Hood was suspended with pay and RCMP were asked to investigate the following month.

The school board says it cannot release details of Hood’s employment with the board at this point.

“We obviously take student safety and security very, very seriously in our schools,” says Debbie Buott-Matheson, a spokesperson for the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board.

“We understand if parents have concerns and if they feel uncomfortable…for us, as I said, safety and security is number one with our students.”

Hood has been released from custody on conditions. She is due to appear in Pictou provincial court on March 17.